Top 10 Things you must Remember when in a Job Interview

If there’s one thing in this world that is self-explanatory, without an iota of doubt, it is this: an interviewee’s anxiety. It does not matter if it is a job interview or an interview for internship, whether telephonic, personal or Skype, interviewee’s anxiety knows no categories. Let me paraphrase the law and its functioning: the more pivotal the position, the more intense examination the candidate is subjected to, and scrutiny is inversely proportional to prospective perks, where ‘interviewee’s anxiety’ remains constant. While you can always thank us for adding such an indispensable law to your treasure of knowledge, read on to know how you can effectively combat the demons of worry and perturbation which sits on your forehead and distresses you with its presence.

10) Observe

Match your skills with the company’s expertise. While you don’t have to exaggerate your skills, expertise or abilities, there is certainly a need to sell yourself, and the whole task of doing so rests on your shoulder. Customize yourself according to the needs of the employer. And although you are not advised to flatter the interviewer, yet a certain level of agreement with him/her is necessary, which in turn necessitates observing their tastes and opinions.

9) Ask questions

Your eagerness should also be manifested in your inquisition. It has become a norm nowadays to question the prospective employer about the work culture, the pay scale, and other primary concerns of an employee. Do not hesitate. The employees see it as a good sign.

8) Wrap up professionally

At the end of an interview, you might be feeling exhausted, or even grilled. You may have got into a verbal skirmish or debate with an interviewer, you may still be recuperating from the perils of a stress-interview, you might have had a very enlightening discussion eliciting introspection from you. However, the whole idea gets ruined if you end it up in haste. So, no matter how overwhelmed you are in the aftermath of the grueling session, you have to maintain the same tempo till the end. No one likes an abrupt halt, isn’t? It will give you an edge over others.

7) Be eager

The work scenario is changing. Here’s a handy tip: don’t project yourself as an introvert or recluse. If you are really keen on that job, exhibit your alacrity and enthusiasm for the job. Show them that you are driven by the forces of passion and optimism. No one likes hiring passive candidates. A calm sense of humor can be useful, but avoid taking the risk if you cannot not make it offensive. Also since many employees receive training prior to joining as employees, show them your appetite for knowledge and willingness to learn.

6) Interests

If there is one question that the prospective employee asks about the personal inclinations of an interviewee, it is this: your interests, hobbies, pastimes. It is a very effective tool to determine your knack, inclinations and at one level, skills. So, be careful and enumerate only those interests which 1) you genuinely have, 2) You can elaborate upon 3) you can justify and testify 4) Are productive and 5) Healthy. So avoid stating myriads of interests, for that points to a fickle mind and indecisive, unpredictable nature. If you do really have multiple interests, share only the ones relevant to the job. So, let us say, if it is a job which demands trips, excursions etc, then it would be intelligent to say that you love travelling. If it is a creative job, you may safely proclaim to be an avid reader. If job requires more of communication skills, emphasize on your social activities, so on and so forth. You get the drift, right?

5) Be equipped

As pointed out before, be equipped with all your paraphernalia. A day prior to your interview gather all your materials, which includes your Bio-data (Now that’s stating the obvious), copies of your certificates, research papers, a pen and pad, a calculator, your laptop. And ensure you have clean, extra copies to hand over, just in case!

4) Dress for success

This is a typical make-it or break-it point. Wearing shorts to an interview, the company being a start-up or the work environment being casual notwithstanding, is the most catastrophic act you can do to bring upon yourself a torrent of demeaning smirks, and insulting remarks. So, wearing something formal and appropriate is a prerequisite. Even if they are going to give you an informal environment to work in, they do expect a certain level of decorum, professionalism and seriousness, all of which is reflected in your attire. More often than not, first impressions indeed are the last impressions. Also, it is important you show them that you consider your body your temple and hone it, caress it but accessorizing or embellishing yourself will only make you a butt of jokes. The only accessory to wear is confidence.

3) Resume

First impression is the last impression. True, but a word of caution here: do not take this too seriously. Because there is a high possibility that you might be window-dressing your curriculum vitae, popularly known as CV or Bio-Data in an attempt to magically augment your chances of being selected and/or shortlisted. Hence, wisdom suggests that refrain from the practice of showing skills in your resume which you do not possess, or mentioning projects under work experience which you may not have undertaken. Also, make sure you are cognizant of all details you have mentioned in your resume. It is highly likely that your prospective employer may be interested in testing the authenticity of those details. So, prior to and during a Job Interview, you must keep in mind the minute, meticulous details of all the ventures you have mentioned in your Bio-data. Carrying a hard copy of the resume evinces your alacrity and sense of responsibility. Make sure you have customized the resume to suit the job you are applying for.

2) Do your homework

If you want to get noticed, and achieve results that nobody else does, you have do something no one else does. This is where the utility of preparation kicks in. the recruiter asks in 99% cases why you deem yourself befitting for this job or post. To have an adept answer to this query.

Another very tricky question often asked is, “What is your weakness?” keep in mind that you cannot probably skip this question because no one is perfect and you do have some weakness. But make sure you convince the interviewer that your weakness in no way comes in the way of your job. For instance, if you are applying in a marketing position, and you tell them you have poor convincing skills, then you are laying your own deathbed.

Another component of your preparation encompasses learning about the company. It not only helps you in an interview, but also helps you adapt to the ambiance sooner than expected.

1) Body language

The interviewer observes your body language and confidence very keenly, more acutely than you can ever think of. This is true more so in case of a panel interview, whereby one of the persons is a body language expert, piercing through your gestures, observing your actions and drawing conclusions about your character with his/her astute, razor-sharp expertise. Remember to wear confidence. Be conscious about your body-language to avoid anything offensive, but don’t go over-board such that all your attention is seized by this trivial affair than your actual interview. Remember the golden rule as stated by Glen Wilson, “Where body language conflicts with the words that are being said, the body language will usually be the more ‘truthful’ in the sense of revealing true feelings.” Hence, exercise caution, exercise etiquette.